Should you consider a TENS machine for pain relief? TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a small portable device that passes electrical pulses to your body through electrodes that attach to your body to block the pain signals from the spinal cord to the brain to relieve pain. This machine can be effective for certain types of pain. But can you use it as an alternative to your pain medication? Read this article to understand how TENS machines provide pain relief and its benefits. Visit the best Pain Management Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org.
What does a TENS machine do for pain?
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, a device that connects to your skin and delivers small electrical pulses to your body via electrodes placed on the skin. Those pulses can affect pain signals that are sent to the brain via the spinal cord. Those electrical pulses either block or reduce the signals from the pain source.
TENS machines work on pain in two ways:
- At a high pulse rate of 90-130 Hz (the normal method of use), these electrical impulses of the TENS machine interfere with the pain messages sent to the brain. It happens due to the gate control theory of pain. When a gate (mechanism) in the brain and spinal cord gets open, pain messages get through to the brain and cause pain. When the gate is closed, those pain messages get blocked, and we don’t experience pain. This machine can stimulate certain non-pain-carrying nerves and close the gate. In this effect, the brain is busy dealing with the messages it receives from the TENS machine, which lowers pain signals that come from the body elsewhere. That’s the reason, if you injure yourself, rubbing the area can temporarily lower the pain.
- A low pulse rate (2-5 Hz) can stimulate the body’s pain-easing chemicals called endorphins to block pain signals.
When is it recommended and how often?
TENS machines are recommended to manage musculoskeletal pain that occurs from chronic pain conditions like arthritis, joint pain, and back pain. It is also helpful to provide pain relief for acute pain that occurs from sports injuries, migraine headaches, or labor pain. Sometimes, it is also recommended for conditions like sciatica, pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy, tiredness, insomnia, or dementia.
TENS machines can be used as often as you need to relieve pain, without the risk of overdose. However, it is often used alone or in combination with other treatments. The use of a TENS machine may lower the number of painkillers you need to take for pain relief.
Benefits
There are many benefits of using of a TENS machine, including:
- It is a non-invasive method of relieving pain.
- It helps to lower the intake of pain medications, as some of them can be addictive or cause adverse side effects.
- It is very convenient to take anywhere because it is small, portable, and relatively discrete.
- You can easily get access to pain relief throughout the day just by attaching electrodes to your body and setting it to an intensity that works best for you. It can easily fit in your pocket and/or clip onto your belt.
TENS machines are a good option to relieve pain because they can send electrical pulses to block pain signals to your spinal cord and brain. It can provide relief to certain types of pain but may not be effective for everyone. But if it works for you, then you can experience TENS machine benefits which make it extremely easy for you to manage your pain anywhere throughout the day.
Need help deciding whether or not to consider a TENS machine for your pain management, visit our pain management specialist in Brooklyn clinic to get a proper examination to learn what treatment combination is best for your pain management. Call us to book your appointment now!!!! Our location at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 is well-served by public transportation, including many bus routes, and the subway line. Visit our website at https://doralhw.org/department/pain-management/ or contact us on +1-718-367-2555 for additional details.
